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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Christmas Bureau provides help for the holidays

After paying rent on her apartment, Jennifer Loureiro has to stretch about $920 from her monthly income as a full-time dish washer to pay the bills. Diapers alone cost $40. School loans take a sizable chunk, which is especially challenging since Loureiro has been unable to find work in the field she studied for – medical billing and coding.

To make ends meet, she tries to pick up extra shifts, economizes by clipping coupons, and relies on help from her parents, who watch her 1-year-old son while she works.

Loureiro also turned to the Christmas Bureau for holiday help this week, where she was able to pick out an ABC board book and a toy for her son. She also received a $20 food voucher to buy the fixings for a holiday meal.

“It’s making my Christmas an amazing Christmas,” she said, smiling. “It’s awesome they help people that need it.”

Now the charity, organized by The Spokesman-Review, Volunteers of America and Catholic Charities, needs help raising the rest of the $525,000 goal to pay for the toys, books and food vouchers that make this a happy holiday for so many less-fortunate families.

With only a week until Christmas, it’s raised just over 54 percent of the amount needed.

Since the Christmas Bureau is staffed by about 400 volunteers, 96 percent of the money raised goes directly to those holiday gifts and vouchers.

Not only does the charity provide gifts under the tree for children, it helps adult households as well. Diane and Bob Bradley, for example, are retired and living on a fixed income. They qualified for a $20 food voucher at the Christmas Bureau.

While the Bradleys worked to pay off their house years ago, the taxes have gone up hundreds of dollars.

“We’re making it,” said Bob Bradley, who delivered papers on four routes during his youth to make a little money and retired from a fabrication career in his 60’s. “But it’s nice if you need a little help you can get it.”

New donations

Travis Pattern and Foundry, Inc, of Spokane, gave $35,000 as an annual tradition of giving the funds they might have spent on a Christmas party. “We hope we can help make Christmas a little brighter for some Spokane families,” wrote president Travis Garske.

Larry and Joanna Kiewert, of Deer Park, gave $400.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $300 in memory of Don Kelly, who volunteered at the Christmas Bureau for more than 20 years. “It was very important to him that everyone have a special Christmas. Thank you to all the volunteers who continue to support his vision,” she wrote.

Donald Moore, of Spokane, gave $300.

Bob and Lois Banta, of Liberty Lake, gave $250 in memory of those family and friends no longer with them.

NorthWest Gold Prospectors Association, of Post Falls gave $250.

Two anonymous Spokane donors gave $250.

Don and Linda McClellan, of Spokane, gave $250 on behalf of Spencer and Nathan.

An anonymous donor from Deer Meadows, Washington, gave $200.

Donald and Lorraine Burghard, of Moses Lake, gave $200 in memory of their daughter Vicki, who was killed in 1986. “Merry Christmas to all you wonderful people who make this Christmas fund possible,” wrote Lorraine Burghard. “I am blessed that I have been able to contribute to those who are less fortunate.”

Spokane donors giving $200 were Paul Cottrell, Rose and Robert Milhem and William and Harriet Plucker.

Rosemary Shockley, of Spokane Valley, gave $200.

An anonymous Valleyford donor gave $200 in memory of their father, Donald Johnson, and niece Devin Johnson.

Jeff and Theresa Utesch, of Veradale, gave $200.

Jeff and Becky Olson, of Spokane, gave $150, as did Colleen Birchill.

Jean Jalufka, of Spokane, gave $125 in honor of Paul Jalufka.

The Spokane branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) gave $119.09, from its annual budget of the 72 member branch that was chartered in 1909 to advocate for education, public service, civic advancement, women’s issues and social responsibility in Spokane.

“We have several members who help at the bureau in the book section. Our member Tana Carosella has worked for many years organizing the books and the volunteers,” wrote branch treasurer Margaret Lawrence. “Our members feel strongly that the Christmas Bureau helps the less fortunate families in our community and this allows all of us to share in the true meaning of Christmas.”

Roy and Joey Schmidt, of Cheney, gave $100. “Thank you all for your time and effort to make Christmas happy for so many children and their parents, too,” they wrote.

Beverly Hayes, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $100 in remembrance of her husband David, who died in October of Alzheimers.

Jennifer and Howie Stalwick, of Post Falls gave $100 in honor of Jennifer’s parents, longtime Christmas Bureau volunteers Lois and Vernon Thomason. “Thank you for providing this extremely important service,” wrote former Spokesman-Review sports writer Howie Stalwick.

Mildred Musselman, of Post Falls gave $100.

Dorothy and Bob Yohe, of Spirit Lake, Idaho, gave $100 in memory of their son, Kenneth Anderson. “A big thank you to all the volunteers who make Christmas special to those less fortunate.”

Spokane donors giving $100 include Arlen and Charleene Ristuben, Christine Gamble, Dennis Pollock, Frank and Jeanine Neeri, Jennifer Stucker, and Pat and Dee Cerutti.

Jack and Kathleen Ossello, of Spokane, gave $100 to honor the birthday of Kathy Lackie, a Christmas Bureau volunteer of many years.

Martha and Miles Breneman, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of their friend Nancy Burley.

Joan and Don Morse, of Spokane Valley, gave $100.

Julie Lehman, of Spokane Valley, gave $100 in honor of her employer, Colleen Stevens. “Her generosity and caring for others is amazing, just like the Christmas Bureau,” she wrote. “Thanks to both for being a positive influence in Spokane.”

Favn Gravatt, of Bozeman, Montana, gave $75.

Rosalind and Norm Luther, of Spokane, gave $75. “Thank you for all you are doing,” they wrote.

St. Mary’s Pinochle Group gave $70.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $50.23

Susan and Edward Leach, of Coeur d’Alene, gave $50, as did Victoria and Randy Bunke, of Deer Park.

An anonymous Moscow, Idaho, donor gave $50 in memory “of a man who made Christmas quite wonderful for his family,” she wrote. “I deeply appreciate what you do for others at Christmastime.”

John and Connie Overdorff, of Otis Orchards, gave $50.

Amanda and Wyatt Dietz, of Spokane, gave $50 “to help other kids have a better Christmas.”

Three anonymous Spokane donors gave $50. One wrote, “as we celebrate Christmas and count our blessings let us not forget those less fortunate. May this donation help to bring joy to deserving children and families.”

Barry and Deborah Cross and family, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of Ryan Cross. “Thank you for allowing us to help. Best wishes to all, volunteers and those that receive.”

Other Spokane donors giving $50 include Bonnie Orcutt, George and Sula Potter, Lenore Adams, Phillip Schumaker, Vickie Borer, and William and Judy Anderson.

Gary and Jan Huguenin, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of Aunt Leona Wimmer, Uncle Bud Raska, and friend and co-worker Chuck Nelson.

Mary Peer, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of her husband Dennis Peer. “This of all charities was his favorite,” she wrote.

Michael Hughes, of Spokane Valley, gave $50, as did an anonymous donor.

Gordon Landberg, of Spokane Valley, gave $40.

Rita and Ernst Pickel, of Spokane, gave $35, as did Shirley Schoenleber, of Spokane Valley.

Dorene Bailey, Charles Gruenenfelder, and Beatrice Sheele, of Spokane, each gave $30.

Andrew and Nanci Slipper, Lawrence Smith, and an anonymous donor, of Spokane, each gave $25.

C. English, of Spokane Valley, gave $20.

An anonymous Spokane Valley donor gave $15. “May this help a little bit,” they wrote. “Wish it was more.”